The New Year is a time of fresh beginnings, new connections, and exchanging warm wishes is a cherished tradition in every culture including in Francophone countries. Whether you’re sending a card, a message, or greeting someone in person, knowing how to say “Happy New Year” in French adds a special charm to your words. It not only shows cultural appreciation but also deepens your personal connections with each other. In this blog, we’ll explore 10 useful french words new year’s celebrations and basic new year’s greetings for new year wishes.
Basic French New Year’s Greetings
1. Bonne année
Translation: Happy New Year
Example: Bonne année à toi et à ta famille ! (Happy New Year to you and your family!)
This is the most common and direct way to say Happy New Year in French. You’ll hear it everywhere after le réveillon (New Year’s Eve).
2. Bonne et heureuse année
Translation: A good and joyful year
Example: Je te souhaite une bonne et heureuse année pleine de succès. (I wish you a good and joyful year full of success.)
A more formal and heartfelt version for wishing, often used in greeting cards or emails.
3. Tous mes vœux
Translation: All my wishes
Example: Tous mes vœux pour cette nouvelle année . (All my best wishes for this new year!)
It is used to express your complete and genuine well-wishes for the upcoming year. It reflects the sense of personal connection and deepens understanding and love.
4. Meilleurs vœux
Translation: Best wishes
Example: Meilleurs vœux pour 2025 (Best wishes for 2025)
Very common in both personal and professional settings, this phrase is polite, warm, and versatile. You can use it for wishing a relative, colleagues or an employee.
5. Vœux de bonheur
Translation: Wishes for happiness
Example: Vœux de bonheur et de bonne santé pour la nouvelle année (Wishes for happiness and good health for the new year)
Mostly used in formal contexts to wish someone emotional well-being and good health. This phrase shows your care and concern for the other person.
6. Vœux chaleureux
Translation: Warm wishes
Example: Vœux chaleureux pour une année pleine de belles surprises. (Warm wishes for a year full of beautiful surprises.)
This expression adds a personal and affectionate touch, ideal for close friends and family.
Learning these French greetings will help you connect more deeply with French culture and celebrate the New Year in French style
Greetings for the Upcoming Year
1. Que cette année vous apporte…
Translation: May this year bring you…
Example: Que cette nouvelle année vous apporte des raisons de sourire chaque jour, car le bonheur ne dure pas juste un jour. (May this new year bring you reasons to smile every day, because happiness doesn’t last for just a day.)
This phrase is poetic and uplifting. It is ideal for both formal and informal contexts. It’s often used to wish someone good health, joy, and warmth throughout the entire season.
2. Que le Nouvel An vous comble…
Translation: May the New Year fulfill you…
Example: Que le Nouvel An vous comble de bonheur et de la bonne santé (May the New Year fulfill you with happiness and good health.)
This is more intimate and elegant, often used in cards or messages expressing deepest friendship or sincere affection towards your loved ones. It adds a refined emotional tone to your greeting and personal touch.
3. En cette nouvelle année…
Translation: In this new year…
Example: En cette nouvelle année, je vous souhaite un renouveau plein d’énergie et d’amour (In this new year, I wish you a fresh start full of energy and love.)
This phrase is common and flexible, this phrase can introduce both casual and formal wishes. This is often followed by new year’s resolutions. You can use it in any tone.
4. Que tous vos rêves se réalisent
Translation: May all your dreams come true
Example: Bonne année! Que tous vos rêves se réalisent en 2025 (Happy New Year! May all your dreams come true in 2025)
This phrase adds a touch of magic and optimism and your blessings for the person. It is perfect for children, families, or close friends. It reflects a genuine wish for a joyful year and new opportunities.
Adding the “New” in French Happy New Year
1. Nouvel An
Translation: New Year
Example: je vous souhaite un joyeux Noël et une bonne année de la reussite. (I wish you merry Christmas and a new year of success.)
It is commonly used in formal and informal greetings. It marks the joyful transition into a new chapter.
2. Bonne santé pour la nouvelle année
Translation: Good health for the new year
Example: Je te souhaite bonheur et bonne santé pour la nouvelle année. (I wish you happiness and good health for the new year.)
This wish that reflects the French value of well-being and care for others.
3. Bonne année
Translation: Happy new year
Example: Bonne année! Profite bien de la saison des fêtes avec tous ceux que tu aimes. (Happy New Year! Enjoy the holiday season with all your loved ones.)
A more formal or poetic alternative to Bonne année. This one is more suitable for cards.
4. Accueillons la nouvelle année
Translation: Let’s welcome the new year
Example: Accueillons la nouvelle année avec joie et espoir. (Let’s welcome the new year with joy and hope.)
A celebratory and inclusive phrase which is perfect for group messages or group get together.
Formal and Professional Greetings
1. Avec tous mes vœux
Translation: With all my wishes
Example: Avec tous mes vœux de réussite pour cette nouvelle année..(With all my best wishes for success in this new year.)
This phrase is polite and adaptabl. It is suitable for both business and formal academic settings. It is often followed by wishes for success, good health, or new opportunities.
2. Je vous adresse mes meilleurs vœux
Translation: I send you my best wishes
Example: Je vous envoie mes meilleurs vœux et de joyeuses fêtes (I send you my best wishes and happy holidays)
This phrase is ideal for clients or work place. This phrase reflects a respectful and professional tone. You can wish someone with higher authority with this text.
3. Recevez mes vœux les plus sincères
Translation: Please accept my most sincere wishes
Example: Recevez mes vœux les plus sincères pour cette nouvelle année. (Please accept my most sincere wishes for this new year.)
This formal phrase is often used in written communication like sending texts, greeting cards, emails or letters. This shows a high level of courtesy and sincerity for the other.
Creative or Warm Personal Phrases
1. Santé, succès et amour!
Translation: Health, success, and love!
Example: Joyeux Noël et Bonne année! Santé, succès et amour pour toi et tous ceux que tu aimes! (Happy Christmas and Happy New Year! Health, success, and love for you and all your loved ones!)
A personal wish that covers all aspects of happiness. This reflects your deep connection and happy wishes for the other person.
2. Que la fête commence !
Translation: Let the party begin!
Example: Minuit approche… que la fête commence! (Midnight is coming… let the party begin!)
A cheerful, upbeat phrase for party invitations or fun group messages. You can kick start you new year’s eve celebration with this phrase. This shows your excitement to see people celebrating new year.
3. Une année pleine de magie
Translation: A year full of magic
Example: Je te souhaite une année pleine de magie et de surprises ! (Wishing you a year full of magic and surprises!)
You can wish for happy new beginnings to children, dreamers, or innovative people to add a personal touch.
4. Faisons pétiller la nouvelle année!
Translation: Let’s make the New Year sparkle!
Example: Avec toi, je sais qu’on va faire pétiller la nouvelle année! (With you, I know we’ll make the New Year sparkle!)
A happy and affectionate line for partners or best friends. This way you can also portray your feelings of celebrating new years day and the year with the person.
New Year Resolutions in French
1. Faire plus d’exercice
Translation: Exercise more
Cette année, je veux faire plus d’exercice et rester en forme. (This year, I want to exercise more and stay fit.)
2. Lire plus de livres
Translation: Read more books
lire plus de livres et passer moins de temps sur mon téléphone. (read more books and spend less time on my phone.)
3. Manger plus sainement
Translation: Eat healthier
Je vais essayer de manger plus sainement cette année. (I’m going to try to eat healthier this year.)
Learning French New Year’s greetings not only adds charm to your conversations but also boosts your confidence when speaking with French speaking friends or colleagues. These simple expressions help you connect more in the marvelous occasion and personally while appreciating the culture. With just a few phrases, your greetings can feel warm, thoughtful, and authentically French.
This guide on Merry Christmas in French explains authentic greetings, cultural nuances, and polite usage for festive conversations worldwide audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do French people wish a Happy New Year?
Ans: In France, people commonly say “Bonne année !” starting from January 1st, often combined with other warm wishes like “et bonne santé” (and good health). Formal versions such as “Meilleurs vœux pour l’année à venir” are used in professional settings.
Q2. Is it Bonne Annee or Bonne année?
Ans: The correct spelling is Bonne année with the accent on the ‘e’ in année. Accents matter in French année (year) with the accent means “year,” while annee is a spelling error. At La Forêt, we focus on such important nuances to help you speak and write more confidently.
Q3. What is a unique way to say “Happy New Year” in French?
Ans: Try using a creative phrase like “Que cette nouvelle année t’apporte des éclats de rire et des rêves réalisés” (May this new year bring you bursts of laughter and fulfilled dreams).
